Google, Yahoo, and Microsoft Set Common Voice Abroad

Today I read an interesting article on Wall Street Journal about Google, Yahoo, & MSN agreeing on common set of principles on how to do business with countries that restrict free speech and expressions. I feel this is an important issue that needs to be tackled. I am happy that all major search engines have agreed to the principles. Here are some of the important issues highlighted by the article.

Under the new principles, which were crafted over two years, the technology titans promise to protect the personal information of their users wherever they do business and to “narrowly interpret and implement government demands that compromise privacy,” according to the code. They also commit to scrutinizing a country’s track record of jeopardizing personal information and freedom of expression before launching new businesses in a country and to discussing the risks widely with their executives and board members.

The document — introduced under an entity known as the Global Network Initiative — was crafted by a group of participants including human rights groups like Human Rights First and Committee to Protect Journalists. Nonprofits the Center for Democracy and Technology and Business for Social Responsibility also participated. The companies agreed to have their compliance with the new principles monitored by independent experts.

The new code comes after leading Web companies have come under fire from Congress and shareholders for turning over personal information to governments that lack well-established privacy protections. Yahoo, for instance, faced questioning by Congress last year for turning over emails that led to the imprisonment of Chinese dissidents. In a statement, Yahoo Chief Executive Jerry Yang called the new principles “a valuable roadmap” that will help ensure that technology and the Internet continue to help “improve people’s lives”.

Source: Wall Street Journal